‘Best week of the year’

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‘Best week of the year’

Posted Monday, June 23, 2008

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Chase Sanders prepares to let one fly at the MDA “Camp for All” in Burton, TX on Thursday, June 12, 2008.

Angelica Costanzo holds one of the bunnies at the petting zoo on Wednesday, June 11, 2008 at MDA Summer Camp in Burton, TX.

Since 1955, the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) has built bridges and knocked down barriers for children and young adults living with muscular dystrophy by providing an unforgettable week at MDA Summer Camp. Summer camp is a cherished opportunity for individuals who are living with more than 40 types of neuromuscular diseases to build relationships, experience the pleasures of an active lifestyle and simply be a kid.

The Houston-Gulf Coast area MDA sponsors campers to attend “Camp For All” in Burton, Texas, free of charge. Campers get to participate in a wide variety of activities designed especially for those with limited mobility – everything from swimming, fishing and horseback riding to archery, ropes courses and dances.

Some basic numbers help break down the effort that made last week’s camp run so smoothly:
*More than 95 Houston- and Beaumont-area kids attended MDA Summer Camp at “Camp For All”;
*More than 120 staff and volunteers dedicated themselves to overseeing the camp, providing medical services and facilitating activities;
*More than 100 representatives from area companies visited the camp grounds to mingle with the campers and staff;
*More than 75 side-car rides were given in Harley-Davidson motorcycles;
*Almost 100 home runs were hit during the traditional fire fighter baseball game (Final score: Campers – 98, Fire fighters – 0);
*Countless crafts were constructed, fish caught, birdhouses hammered together and wheelchairs abandoned while their owners dipped into swimming pools.

However, there is no calculable tally for how many smiles spread across the faces of every single camper, counselor and volunteer. And none of these smiles would be made possible without the help of the Houston and Beaumont communities.

The Houston-Gulf Coast area MDA office extends unending gratitude to all those who donated their time, energy and resources to the organization and its mission to serve. Your involvement in MDA-sponsored events – from Lock-ups to Telethon, Shamrocks, Passport to a Cure, Stride & Ride, and Fill the Boot campaigns – helps sponsor children to camp every year.

Don’t forget to tune into KPRC Local 2 for the biggest battle against muscular dystrophy this Labor Day weekend, Aug. 31 and Sept. 1, for the Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon.

For additional information on the Houston-Gulf Coast Chapter of MDA, contact Regional Director Chris Perry at (713) 522-4428 or visit www.mdausa.org.